Hamilton-Verstappen, a crazy fight and total title suspense

Saudi Arabia could hardly have dreamed of better as the first Grand Prix in its history in Formula 1. For more than two hours, the spectacle offered by the duettists fighting for the title of world champion - Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton - was round at the same time fascinating, impressive, fascinating and… Incomprehensible. What is, however, is this arithmetic truth: in Abu Dhabi in a week, the two drivers will start perfectly tied, with 369.5 points each. In other words, the one who crosses the line before the other will be crowned world champion. In other words, a historic eighth crown for the Briton, Michael Schumacher's record erased. This is a first for the Dutchman, at 24 years old. And the final promises to be hot if thewe can trust the duel that the two men - and their egos - engaged in on the Jeddah circuit ...

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However, the first departure in history in Saudi Arabia did not hint at such an incredible and crazy sequel. Starting from pole position, Lewis Hamilton calmly maintained his advantage in front of his docile lieutenant Valtteri Bottas, who himself was ahead of a surprisingly wise Max Verstappen. The race could then have sunk into a certain lethargy, but Mick Schumacher, smashing his car against a safety wall on lap 10, brought it out of the torpor that threatened it. The Mercedes took the opportunity to change tires, which Verstappen did not do. A good idea since a red flag would eventually appear, giving him the opportunity to spend new tires without wasting time. Except that at the second start, the Red Bull, in the lead,failed to take off and only kept the controls at the cost of a more than limited maneuver. Behind, the carnage was total with three cars less and ... a new red flag.

And one, and two, and three starts

Intense negotiations began in the paddock to decide on a possible sanction against Verstappen.

Finally, this consisted for the Batavian to start behind Hamilton, 2nd, and the French Esteban Ocon, improbable leader.

A sanction that he accepted with fury.

So much so that this third start gave rise to an anthological maneuver by the Red Bull driver who, at the cost of exceptional braking in the first corner, played with both a Hamilton no longer knowing where to stand and a Ocon preferring to shoot straight so as not to interfere in a duel at the top that was none of his business.

End of story and success of Verstappen?

Far from there…

I don't understand why he suddenly hit his brakes.

Lewis hamilton

With 13 laps to go, Hamilton, coming back within range of DRS, went on the attack and pushed his rival to the fault by bypassing a turn to retain his leadership. In the process, aware of his mistake (or advised by his stand?), The Dutchman braked strongly to leave his place and thus avoid a penalty. A maneuver which, incredibly, ended in a collision, the Mercedes hitting the rear of the Red Bull. “

Hamilton replied with another misunderstanding: "

"

Difficult, for the moment, to establish the responsibilities.

Still, this incident led to a surreal end to the race, Verstappen abandoning his place, recovering it to leave it again to a Hamilton who continues his comeback in the Championship with a third consecutive success, the 103rd of his career.

He will probably need a 104th in a week in Abu Dhabi to be world champion.

But a certain Dutchman does not hear it that way ...